Bikini Beach Square was bustling from early morning as athletes lined up to collect their bibs. The vibrant atmosphere was amplified by famous artists, including Buc Tuong and Nguyen Hung, who were finalizing rehearsals nearby for the Sports Festival opening ceremony, scheduled for the same evening.

Many runners arrived early to avoid crowds, allowing them more time to explore the exhibition area and acclimate to the pre-race atmosphere.

The "Journey of 81 Years - For National Security" race is a key event within the Sports Festival series, commemorating the 81st anniversary of the Vietnam People's Public Security.

A young athlete observes the bib collection process. Participants must present a QR code, pre-sent by organizers, at the counter to receive their bibs.

A group of young friends checked in with the event backdrop and the 10km route. Despite registering for different distances, they encouraged each other to conquer the race on the morning of 2/8.

Athletes collectively wore their race shirts to check in at the event's welcome gate.

This year's race shirt, predominantly red and featuring the Vietnam People's Public Security logo, drew significant attention. Its design not only aligns with the race theme but also commemorates 81 years of safeguarding national security. For many, the shirt serves as both race attire and a cherished souvenir.

Tran Ngoc Huyen, from Vinh Long, traveled to Phan Thiet with her parents, husband, and young child, blending a family vacation with race participation. A veteran of several VnExpress Marathon events, she consistently enjoys her family's support. For Huyen, each race represents a chance to achieve personal goals, while family participation offers a unique way to bond, relax, and create lasting memories.

Omavi Quadir, a 30-year-old American, shared that this marks his first race in Vietnam. After two to three months of running with a local club, friends introduced him to the event, prompting his decision to register.

Nguyen Duy Khuong from Ben Tre, along with 12 family members, participated in the 5km, 10km, and 21km distances. This is his third VnExpress Marathon. He explained that his family attends these races for health, to provide experiences for the children, and to combine it with summer travel. His personal goal is to improve his individual performance.

Kulikov Alex, a Russian information technology engineer, also embraces combining running with family trips. Having lived in Nha Trang for about two years and working remotely, Alex frequently integrates races with exploring Vietnam's diverse coastal areas.

On the morning of 1/8, he brought his wife and child to Bikini Beach to collect their race kits before competing in the 21km distance. Alex discovered the event through the VnExpress Marathon community. His family opted to spend the weekend in Phan Thiet, combining the race with exploring a new destination.

Captain Tran Cong Bang, an officer from PC01 Department, Ho Chi Minh City Police, participated in the Sports Festival 2026 race with a six-member delegation. He noted that running is a common training regimen for the police force, with members maintaining their fitness through almost daily morning runs along Phan Thiet beach.

In addition to the race, the delegation also competed in the Summer Shooting Cup 2026, another event within the Sports Festival.

A group of athletes checked in creatively with their participant name tags.

Adjacent to the race kit distribution area, partner booths hosted numerous interactive activities and physical challenges. Runners engaged in games, learned about products, received gifts, and exchanged race preparation tips.

The "Journey of 81 Years - For National Security" race is hosted at NovaWorld Phan Thiet, a tourism and resort urban area spanning nearly 1,000 hectares in Tien Thanh ward, Lam Dong.

This race is a highlight of the Sports Festival 2026, a series featuring seven sports events: triathlon, cycling, pickleball, golf, beach volleyball, tennis, and sports dance, drawing approximately 17,000 athletes and guests.

Hoang Dan

Photo: Quynh Tran